tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59732662018-03-05T22:31:56.202-08:00MusicaMusical musings, studies, writings, discoveries, reviews, resources, performances and recommendationsJonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-70270822069021874762010-11-24T19:14:00.000-08:002010-11-24T19:14:45.752-08:00CCM revisitedWow, it's been over five months since my last post on this blog - I think that's a record! No promises as to further posts, but if I have something to say or share that might be worth your time, I probably will...<br /><br />Those of you who remember me in my early teenage years probably groaned (at least internally) when you saw the title of this post. I can hardly blame you! There was a time where I was a vocal, vehement, and usually ungracious critic of just about anything that could be included under the header of Christian contemporary music. At the time, I believed the primary 'issue' with CCM was that most artists and bands adopted, imitated, or incorporated musical styles that originated in contemporary secular culture. Over time, however, I have come to recognize a much greater degree of nuance to the issue than I ever did years ago.<br /><br />Even so, I've been pondering recently where the real danger lies with CCM, and I am becoming more convinced that in most cases there are greater concerns than some of the musical styles incorporated in the 'genre'. I would summarize my latest musings under two broad points.<br /><br />I recently listened to a lecture by Dr. George Grant from his Antiquities series, where he described a visit he made to Iraq shortly after Saddam Hussein was ousted from power. In preaching to a group of pastors there, he spoke words that few of them had ever heard or really understood: that Jesus is Lord over all. Many Christians, he said, take this glorious truth for granted because we have written so many catchy tunes about it that has practically been reduced to a mantra. Music, especially catchy music, has the ability to familiarize us with phrases and concepts to the point where we lose our grasp of the deep significance of what we are hearing or singing along with. This is an inherent quality of all chorus-driven music. One example that comes to mind is the song "He Reigns" by Newsboys. (I enjoy listening to that song, among others, by the way.) The chorus goes like this:<br /><br /><blockquote>"Glory, glory, hallelujah</blockquote><blockquote>He reigns, He reigns"</blockquote><br />Nothing wrong with those words, now, is there? The danger lies in the effect that such a repetitive chorus, spinning around in our minds, repeated over and over as we sing along can have on our ability to really grasp what it means to affirm and believe in our hearts that He <i>reigns.</i>&nbsp;Here we have deep theological concepts expressed in such simplistic terms that we run the risk of cheapening the sovereignty of God by reducing it to a mantra - a <i>praise chorus. </i>This is an issue more with us than with the music, or the words being sung. We tend to think at the level we read, listen, and converse at. In other words, what we feed ourselves in terms of literature and music has a direct impact on our intellectual activity. Have you ever read literature by a really talented author with a wide vocabulary (P.G. Wodehouse, for example) and found your vocabulary improve as a result? In the same way, the musical lyrics we fill our minds with inform our literal and theological vocabulary, perhaps more than we realize. Again, I'm not taking issue with the Biblical teaching that "He reigns", or even expressing the sovereignty of God in such terms. But we need to be cautious of letting our doctrinal understanding languish at the level of simplistic affirmation of basic principals. Singing "He reigns" is an affirmation of that truth but will not impart to you any deeper understanding of what you're affirming. By the way, this caution applies to any music we listen to or sing. Whether we are singing "He Reigns" 'round the campfire or "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" in corporate worship, we need to be wary of the cheapening effect that repetition and casual familiarity can have on the great truths of our faith.<br /><br />The second danger is a matter of volume. Not decibals, mind you, but <i>quantity. </i>This is a simple issue. Speaking from experience, I know it's easy to spend way more time listening to music than reading, writing, praying, or meditating. Listening is a passive experience relative to those other activities, which require more active involvement. But when more time is spent imbibing theological concepts via the medium of music than is spent reading our Bibles, we have our priorities wrong. No matter how good the music, we should not allow it to tell us about God and His world as a substitute for, or in greater quantity than, what God reveals to us in His word. Our worldview (including our artistic sensibilities) must be anchored in Scripture--we know <i>that</i>, right?--but that won't happen unless we actually study it. After all, the only way we'll be prepared to evaluate the content of any music is if we <i>know </i>the standard to which it should be compared. Whatever we spend the most time consuming will progressively define our beliefs. Although there is still truth being sung in much CCM, there is also a lot of error, and we need to be wise to discern the difference by grounding our understanding of God and His world firmly in the Word.<br /><br />Thanks for reading these thoughts. Writing them down was a good reminder to me, and I'd welcome your feedback if you disagree or have other thoughts to add.Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-60224981543192362692010-06-06T20:34:00.000-07:002010-06-06T20:34:39.855-07:003-Chord DittiesOver the years, in various situations from discussions of popular music with friends to debates with my theory professors in college about country music, I have heard and even used the criticism of the modern reliance (sometimes absolute) on three-chord harmony that is typical of the past 50 years of musical development. Many of you have heard modern worship music characterized as "three-chord ditties" (not an entirely inaccurate characterization in many cases). Although I understand the heart of the criticism, I am not sure this is the best way to make the argument against the tide of shallow worship music that has swept over the evangelical church.<br /><br />&nbsp;As I was playing the well-known Psalm setting "The Ends of All the Earth Shall Hear" this morning during worship, I was struck by how the entire hymn relies on only three chords: D, G, and A. These three chords represent the I, IV, and V (Tonic, Subdominant, and Dominant) tones in the D-major scale. Incidentally, the three most common chords used in popular music are the I, IV, and V chords (of the key the song is written in, not necessarily D-major). This hymn is not an isolated example by any means.<br /><br />The deficiency of much modern worship/praise music does not primarily lie in the fact that the harmony is basically simple. Simple can be incredibly beautiful and effective. But simple should not mistaken for simplistic, especially when it comes to the lyrical content of worship music.<br /><br />Something to think about before leveling the "3-chord ditty" criticism...Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-34223006785742741022010-05-26T12:27:00.000-07:002010-05-26T12:30:14.134-07:00Fingerstyle on a StratocasterI have been playing around with fingerstyle on my electric guitars lately and this is a piece I wrote as a result of that experimentation. It is still in somewhat rough form and I'll probably expand/change it over time... <div><br /></div><div><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12035714&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12035714&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/12035714">Fingerstyle on a Strat</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/jberkom">Jonathan Berkompas</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p></div>Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-50201279777908008762010-05-15T08:57:00.000-07:002010-05-15T09:16:19.109-07:00My Cry Ascends<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-7IPXntQiI/AAAAAAAAI8o/m4gLe8RMiWE/s1600/MyCryAscends.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 249px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-7IPXntQiI/AAAAAAAAI8o/m4gLe8RMiWE/s400/MyCryAscends.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471530763665883682" /></a><br />Back in my homeschool high school years I became familiar with the name Greg Wilbur through George Grant's "Gileskirk" curriculum. Occasionally Greg, who also teaches at Franklin Classical School, would lecture when Dr. Grant was away. I also read his biography of Bach (recommended, by the way). I did not know until recently that he also serves as the Director of Music at Parish Presbyterian Church in the Franklin, TN area. Over the past few years he has written or adapted tunes and texts to various psalms and hymns of bygone eras for congregational use at Parish. 16 of these psalms and hymns have been compiled into a CD that was just published by Ligonier Ministries, titled "My Cry Ascends". On the CD artists including Michael Card, Nathan Clark George, Wes King, and Steve Green perform the arrangements beautifully. I highly recommend purchasing the CD as excellent listening material, and I have also really enjoyed singing them at home and with others in small gatherings. Perhaps eventually some of these settings will be used in the worship at WPC...<div><br /></div><div>Here are some links:</div><div><br /></div><div>To purchase the CD from Ligonier, go <a href="http://www.ligonier.org/store/my-cry-ascends-new-parish-psalms-cd/">HERE</a>. (mp3s available soon)</div><div><br /></div><div>To purchase the CD from Nathan Clark George's store, go <a href="http://www.nathanclarkgeorge.com/store/">HERE</a>. (cheaper shipping)</div><div><br /></div><div>To download a free track from the CD, click <a href="http://devmedia.ligonier.org/uploads/NowUntoJehovah.mp3">HERE</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>To purchase lead sheets, or read more about Greg and his work, go <a href="http://greyfriarspress.com/?page_id=26">HERE</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Greg's website, I would particularly commend to you the section on Musical Philosophy, a portion of which I will quote below:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(166, 127, 67); line-height: 22px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:14px;"><blockquote>CREDO<br />I believe that beauty is an attribute of God and is therefore a theological issue.<br />I believe that beauty and excellence are objective and that the Bible provides the standard for what is beautiful and excellent.<br />I believe that since there is a biblical objective standard for what is beautiful and excellent that this should apply especially in areas of worship.<br />I believe that an understanding of beauty enables a greater understanding of the nature and character of God.<br />I believe that the arts are worldview incarnate.<br />I believe that goodness, truth, and beauty are Trinitarian concepts and that each element requires the relationship of the other two for complete understanding.<br />I believe that the saints need to know how to read music and how to sing for the sake of the worship of God.<br />I believe that we should know, respect, and utilize the arts of the past as we continue to create new art that is historically informed but also Biblically creative.<br />I believe that originality is not a Biblical notion.<br />I believe that we weaken our understanding of art when we try to apply a narrative structure on all works instead of trying to understand music as music, painting as painting, etc.<br />I believe Philippians 4:8 provides a Biblical pattern by which to critique our thoughts and actions as well as our affections.<br />I believe that the Church abdicated its rightful place as the leader of culture.<br />I believe that the Church no longer knows how to train and equip artists because we have adopted a secular view of the arts.</blockquote></span></div>Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-13399164200953894652010-05-14T17:25:00.000-07:002010-05-14T17:25:11.716-07:00Peppino D'Agostino<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3FavdZQ8I/AAAAAAAAI6A/HBrD_1HRch0/s400/_MG_6261.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471246185532048322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Last night my wife and I had the opportunity to attend a concert by acoustic fingerstyle guitarist Peppino D'Agostino in Hillsboro, Oregon. I have been urged multiple times over the past few years to check out his music but had not seen him live until last night. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and I would recommend you check out his music as well. As a guitarist, I was inspired with new ideas and techniques I had not heard before. Below are some of the photos and video I captured from the concert. Enjoy!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">(Photos and videos shot with a Canon 7D, 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS lens, Video: ISO 3200, 24p @ 1/40s, Photos: ISO 3200 @ 1/40s, 1/50s, and 1/100s)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3FjSDDKVI/AAAAAAAAI6I/GTU_SXb07L0/s400/_MG_6269.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471246332255742290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3Fj89m__I/AAAAAAAAI6Q/GsmlWsNRP5Y/s400/_MG_6275.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471246343775649778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3FuQTV4FI/AAAAAAAAI7A/ryEw_vyQXA4/s1600/_MG_6329.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3FuQTV4FI/AAAAAAAAI7A/ryEw_vyQXA4/s400/_MG_6329.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471246520765767762" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3Ft3CnBKI/AAAAAAAAI64/5tTLgRFPQrU/s1600/_MG_6315.jpg"></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3Fk_c92gI/AAAAAAAAI6g/ZBe2vG5E2j4/s400/_MG_6296.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471246361623910914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3Ft3CnBKI/AAAAAAAAI64/5tTLgRFPQrU/s1600/_MG_6315.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3FkQaaFEI/AAAAAAAAI6Y/0S5G7stOKe8/s1600/_MG_6282.jpg"></a></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3FkQaaFEI/AAAAAAAAI6Y/0S5G7stOKe8/s1600/_MG_6282.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3FkQaaFEI/AAAAAAAAI6Y/0S5G7stOKe8/s400/_MG_6282.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471246348996711490" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3Ftf39_6I/AAAAAAAAI6w/9zYfrBzrvDw/s1600/_MG_6307.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3Ftf39_6I/AAAAAAAAI6w/9zYfrBzrvDw/s400/_MG_6307.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471246507766054818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3FlXNrd6I/AAAAAAAAI6o/XPuRgT0m23A/s1600/_MG_6300.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3FlXNrd6I/AAAAAAAAI6o/XPuRgT0m23A/s400/_MG_6300.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471246368002242466" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3Ft3CnBKI/AAAAAAAAI64/5tTLgRFPQrU/s1600/_MG_6315.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3Ft3CnBKI/AAAAAAAAI64/5tTLgRFPQrU/s400/_MG_6315.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471246513984701602" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3Fk_c92gI/AAAAAAAAI6g/ZBe2vG5E2j4/s1600/_MG_6296.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3FkQaaFEI/AAAAAAAAI6Y/0S5G7stOKe8/s1600/_MG_6282.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: left;">If you are interested in such things, he was playing a Seagull Artist "Peppino" signature guitar, through an L.R. Baggs "Venue" DI box / EQ / tuner, Digitech Hardwire RV-7 reverb stompbox, into an AER Compact 60 acoustic amplifier. He was also mic'd with a Shure SM81 into the house PA system for a very full, bright sound. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are the videos I captured:</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3Fj89m__I/AAAAAAAAI6Q/GsmlWsNRP5Y/s1600/_MG_6275.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11744669&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11744669&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/11744669">Peppino D'Agostino, May 13 2010, "Desvairada"</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/jberkom">Jonathan Berkompas</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3FjSDDKVI/AAAAAAAAI6I/GTU_SXb07L0/s1600/_MG_6269.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/S-3FavdZQ8I/AAAAAAAAI6A/HBrD_1HRch0/s1600/_MG_6261.jpg"></a><div><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11744350&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11744350&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/11744350">Peppino D'Agostino, May 13 2010, "Superstition" (Stevie Wonder)</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/jberkom">Jonathan Berkompas</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p></div><div><br /></div><div><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11743936&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11743936&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/11743936">Peppino D'Agostino, May 13 2010, "El Choclo" (Argentinian tango)</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/jberkom">Jonathan Berkompas</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p></div><div><br /></div></div>Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-28931502772428104152010-02-19T11:46:00.001-08:002010-02-19T11:48:04.595-08:00Christians and Death MetalThese two very wise videos from Doug Wilson are helpful when dealing with questions related to music and Christian life and worship.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8769598&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=0&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=5d8f17&amp;fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8769598&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=0&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=5d8f17&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/8769598">How to address death metal fans? - Conversations with Doug Wilson</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/foucachon">Daniel Foucachon</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br /><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9541932&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=0&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=5d8f17&amp;fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9541932&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=0&amp;show_byline=0&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=5d8f17&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/9541932">Ask Doug - Death Metal - a followup</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/foucachon">Daniel Foucachon</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-38090744672923822262010-02-11T19:23:00.000-08:002010-02-11T19:26:50.428-08:00Chris Thile plays BachOn the mandolin. Really well. Here's a clip of him playing the Prelude from Bach's 3rd Partita for solo violin. Maybe it's just my appreciation for this guy's incredible skill getting the better of me but I think I almost like this piece on the mandolin better than on the original instrument!<br /><br />Have a listen and see if you agree...<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hSZ40V0teGM&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hSZ40V0teGM&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-16493251966536564062010-01-28T13:50:00.000-08:002010-01-28T14:44:10.110-08:00Music and the subconsciousFor a few years one of my favorite country CDs has been "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Big-Ryan-Shupe-Rubberband/dp/B000AHJ82Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=music&amp;qid=1264716555&amp;sr=1-1">Dream Big</a>" by Ryan Shupe &amp; the Rubberband. Their style is a blend of country and bluegrass and is really catchy.<br /><br />The lyrics to one song on the album read:<br /><blockquote><br />Would you love me if I<br />Told you that I could not<br />Hold you closer tonight<br />To my heart it just might<br />Break me, make me fall down<br />Trip me up and hit ground<br />And I don't want to be there<br />And I don't want to be but I feel<br /><br />A new emotion<br />A deep devotion<br />And a notion<br />That I will find you<br />Alright<br />Tonight<br />And I might<br />Fall again<br /><br />Would you stay if you knew<br />That I would only leave you<br />Sad enough and lonely<br />And I'd think of you only<br />In my dreams we would walk<br />And in my dreams we would talk<br />Hand in hand together<br />Hand in hand and I feel<br /><br />A new emotion<br />A deep devotion<br />And a notion<br />That I will find you<br />Alright<br />Tonight<br />And I might<br />Fall again<br /><br />I don't want to see the news<br />I don't want to feel the rain<br />Falling on my face again<br />I don't want to see your face<br />On a billboard store<br />Don't want to grow old in this place no more<br /><br />Would you think me crazy<br />Would you laugh forever<br />And in my arms you would be<br />And in your eyes I could see<br />All the stars up at night<br />And I am hoping you might<br />I swear I've seen your eyes before<br />I swear I've seen your eyes<br />And I feel<br /><br />A new emotion<br />A deep devotion<br />And a notion<br />That I will find you<br />Alright<br />Tonight<br />And I might<br />Fall again</blockquote><br />It never really struck me until today that, although relatively harmless, these lyrics are a perfect musical embodiment of what Voddie Baucham calls "the Greco-Roman myth of romantic love". The prevailing notion of love today represents love as a feeling or emotion that we have little or no control over. A lot could be said about this but that's not the goal of my post.<br /><br />Music is powerful in ways we often don't realize or are unwilling to admit. Music instructs us and shapes our worldview subconsciously just as much as it does with our conscious approval. We have to acknowledge this when we choose what sounds and words we fill our minds with or we have no protection against being swept away by the ideas innate in the music. The sounds we choose to hear influence our beliefs about beauty. In fact, our choice of musical styles really betrays our true beliefs about beauty and harmony regardless of what we profess. The words we fill our minds with influence how we view truth, reality, relationship, sexuality, priorities, profanity, and the list goes on.<br /><br />Paul writes in 1 Cor. 15:33 <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals."</span><br /><br />We need to be honest about music's ability to influence us. How many young Christian men would not walk the streets with gansters but hang out all the time with gangster rap? How many young Christian women profess purity of heart and action but regularly consume pop music that at best plays fast and loose with God's perfect design for sexuality and at worst instructs them in the ways of whoredom and other perversions?<br /><br />I don't mean to overstate the case by way of exaggeration but the sorry state of youth and adults in the modern evangelical church can't be divorced from the contents of their iPods. Let's not deceive ourselves with regards to the power of music to shape our subconscious and conscious beliefs, the thoughts that fill our minds, and ultimately the way we live our lives.<br /><br />Instead let's aim for the Scriptural mark of taking every thought captive to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and refrain from all forms of evil whether in action, word, appetite, or thought.Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-48545438357634538102010-01-13T11:13:00.000-08:002010-01-13T11:14:50.132-08:00Valse Irritation d'après NokiaPicked this up over at www.allclassical.org. Marc-Andre Hamelin's interpretive performance of the Nokia ringtone. Reminds me a lot of Chopin, with a little Schumann and maybe some Brahms thrown into the mix.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gYpO6M-LyY8&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gYpO6M-LyY8&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-48327376098679794482009-12-24T15:06:00.000-08:002009-12-24T15:08:12.225-08:00Some clarificationAs usual, my previous post raised some points that I could/should have expanded on in the original. <br /><br />"Should Christians limit themselves to producing and enjoying music which is explicitly Christian in content?"<br /><br />My answer to that question is yes, and no.<br /><br />Key to the discussion is to remember that all good gifts come from the Father. Things like food, strong drink, music, and art are all blessings that are in a sense inherently "Christian" by virtue of their origin. Those who know me know I am a beer aficionado. I do not see beer as a drink which must be redeemed or sanctified by some outward designation Putting a label with a fish or a cross on the bottle would not redeem the beer. Since I believe beer (or wine) is a gift from God, the enjoyment of it in moderation with a heart of thanksgiving to the Giver of all good gifts is enough to redeem it for His glory.<br /><br />In the same way, love, food, friends, and all of creation are "Christian" subjects. This is the "no" part of my answer. Most times the question above is asked, what is being referred to by "Christian" is more narrow than the definition I offered above. Christ, redemption, God's law, for example. But when we remember that the work of Christ in creation and redempion touches every area of life we are then free to rejoice in all these gifts that only belivers can truly enjoy, free from the perversion of the world. I believe this can and should result in Christians doing art and music that involves the mundane and earthly blessings we enjoy during our pilgrim state. Christians should be writing the best love songs, the best symphonies, the best plays etc. This may or may not involve specific references to Christ and His work. It may involve music that is written by Christians, or not. <br /><br />I often find music written by pagans that grasps and extols the beauty of family life more edifying than weak-minded, mealy-mouthed, veiled references to some gal's boyfriend who happens to be named Jesus.<br /><br />What needs to be avoided is the music that places anything in the place of God, promotes a perversion of any of His gifts, or contradicts the truth of His Word. We must keep our eyes open because these problems permeate our culture in every sphere including the modern Church.<br /><br />I'm sure this raises more questions than it answers but hopefuly it provides some food for thought...Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-7650534309755328012009-12-24T09:20:00.000-08:002009-12-24T09:44:32.725-08:00Singing praise to false godsLast weekend Chels and I were privileged to participate in a sing-along performance of Handel's "Messiah" oratorio held annually in Portland. This morning over breakfast we were discussing how revered this particular musical work is, even among pagans. We wondered, how is it that a pagan would voluntarily sing the words of Scripture without a second thought?<br /><br />It dawned on me that we Christians do this all the time when we voluntarily use the words of our pagan culture to praise their gods. We do this when we say things like "I don't listen to the words, I just like the music." We do this when we sing Christmas carols praising the generosity of Santa and his elves. We do this when we fill our minds and sing along with pop music that glorifies materialism and loose morality. We do this when we forget that words have meaning and ideas have consequences. And we end up singing praise to the very false gods we claim to eschew in favor of the one true Messiah.<br /><br />Post-modern Christians have bought into the same lie that enables the pagan to sing the Messiah without blinking: "They are just words, after all, with no objective meaning."<br /><br />Every season is the appropriate time for Christians to reassert the meaning of words, and the meaning of the Word, in both our speech and actions. This season affords a special opportunity to be salt and light to the world as we remember the eternal significance of His advent as our Savior and rehearse this glorious event in hymns and carols.<br /><br />Merry Christmas to you all!Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-2667845594982769212009-08-03T15:24:00.001-07:002009-08-03T15:25:45.245-07:00Bass Guitar HarmonicsBelow is an amazing video sent to me by a friend of Victor Wooten playing some amazing bass guitar. About 2 minutes into the video he starts using harmonics to play an arrangement of Amazing Grace. Impressive stuff!<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jw8ytGHTbNc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jw8ytGHTbNc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-75323537616552972362009-07-27T11:53:00.000-07:002009-07-27T11:54:40.566-07:00National Anthem on a Louisville SluggerWatch the National Anthem performed on a Louisville Slugger converted into an electric violin. No kidding!<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/n9LXHrzOVYA&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/n9LXHrzOVYA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-17634118611918204672009-05-12T15:43:00.000-07:002009-05-12T15:46:36.614-07:00Ben Botkin BlogBen Botkin is a young film composer who has done some great work in films such as "The League of Grateful Sons", and "The Return of the Daughters". He has recently begun a new blog dedicated to "articles, analytical reviews and commentary on the theory, philosophy, theology, history, mechanics, science, technology and future of music." <a href="http://www.benbotkin.com/">Follow the link</a> to read and subscribe.Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-74176986056978847382009-05-11T08:38:00.000-07:002009-05-11T10:26:45.283-07:00Doug Wilson's Musical ExhortationDoug Wilson is currently running an excellent series of short posts on the topic of Musical Exhortation over at <a href="http://dougwils.com/">Blog and Mablog</a>.<br /><br />To whet your appetite for his thought-provoking commentary, here is a small section from his last post titled "<a href="http://dougwils.com/index.asp?Action=Anchor&amp;CategoryID=1&amp;BlogID=6554">The Devil is a Musician</a>":<br /><br /><blockquote>You should want everything you do in the course of the week to be helping you prepare for worship, because worship should be preparing you for everything you do in the course of the week. And keep in mind what was said earlier. It is <i>not</i> the case that all your music must be "church music." There are all kinds of secular music that can contribute appropriate texture to what you have to offer the Lord. But also keep in mind that we live in a confused and rebellious age, and the devil is a musician, one who will give you songs that unravel what God gives you here. Not only that, but it will unravel your heart and life as well. Flee from him.<br /></blockquote>Other posts in the series include:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><a href="http://dougwils.com/index.asp?Action=Anchor&amp;CategoryID=1&amp;BlogID=6533">Ordinary People, Extraordinary Music</a><br /><a href="http://dougwils.com/index.asp?Action=Anchor&amp;CategoryID=1&amp;BlogID=6512">The Right to an Opinion</a><br /><a href="http://dougwils.com/index.asp?Action=Anchor&amp;CategoryID=1&amp;BlogID=6494">Musical Consistency</a></span><br /><br />Doug posts a new Musical Exhortation post every Sunday morning.Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-66358927753376727102009-05-11T07:43:00.000-07:002009-05-11T07:47:25.115-07:00Michael Card dealI've <a href="http://jberkom.blogspot.com/2009/03/michael-card-recommendations.html">posted previously</a> recommending one of my favorite artists, Michael Card. I received an email update from his ministry this morning with a special offer on his 6-CD set "Journey Through the Scriptures in Song", a great buy for someone wanting to be introduced to some of his best music. <a href="http://store.michaelcard.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&amp;ProdID=110&amp;HS=1">Here's the link</a>.Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-38272174126056645282009-05-08T11:41:00.000-07:002009-05-08T11:52:11.082-07:00How To Fix Country MusicI used to be an avid country music radio listener but have been listening to much less of it over the past couple years. Although I have quite a few (300+) country songs in my music library, there are only a few artists I can enjoy an entire album from anymore. The decline in the quality of songwriting and performance over the past 2-3 years has been tangible. Chet Flippo, editor of CMT.com, has some good ideas on <a href="http://www.cmt.com/news/nashville-skyline/1610896/nashville-skyline-how-to-fix-country-music.jhtml"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How To Fix Country Music</span></a> in his Nashville Skyline article this week.Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-14829565403370925972009-05-06T10:57:00.001-07:002009-05-07T11:37:56.211-07:00Singing hymns with understandingThis week in the music-theory/sight-singing class I am teaching to a group of men from my church, we focused on the issue of singing with confidence before the Lord in corporate worship. Paul Jones says, "When we are aware of a hymn's substance before we sing, we are more apt to sing the text with energy and conviction than if this were simply a standard, rote activity."<br /><br />How many of us fall into the habit of singing the words on the page on Sunday without understanding, meditation, or heart-felt praise? I'm afraid the answer is probably "most of us", myself often included (although I enjoy precious few opportunities to lift up my voice in corporate worship these days). As a consequence, how many of us could expound the meaning of a text we've sung only a few minutes prior? Again, likely very few of us.<br /><br />We need to ask ourselves this: Is God pleased just by the words we sing to Him, or does understanding and resultant joyful expression as beneficiaries of His grace play a determining role in whether or not the praise is genuine, authentic, and pleasing? None of us (I hope) would propose that the actual words we lift up in song are of no consequence. But if God is pleased simply by the words, is the sound of a pagan choir singing a great psalm pleasing to His ears? I believe that God is pleased by the praise of <span style="font-style: italic;">His</span> people. As <span style="font-style: italic;">His </span>people, we ought to offer up our words of praise with loud joyful voices, yes - but joy that proceeds from an understanding of His grace, love, and mercy and a conscious understanding of what we are singing.<br /><br />So how do we prepare to sing before our Lord, to gain an understanding of "a hymn's substance"? Some churches will release the weekly bulletin in advance, giving the congregants and musicians ample opportunity to review the texts before worship. In other congregations, such as WPC where I attend, the bulletin is only available to the congregation on Sunday morning when we arrive for worship. However, there is still ample time to take a seat in the sanctuary before the service begins to meditate and prepare your heart for worship - including a review of the texts to be sung that morning. In family worship, husbands and fathers should review the texts to the hymns being sung and explain them to the family as part of his instruction.<br /><br />The point is that when we come to sing songs of praise before our Lord and Creator we are not merely offering mindless repetitions of words on a page but presenting a confident, authentic, joyful offering that arises out of understanding of what is being sung.Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-34748019633625815262009-05-06T10:29:00.000-07:002009-05-06T10:45:24.075-07:00Singing and Making Music: Hymn tunesPaul Jones has the following to say about hymn tunes, respect for the old and development of the new:<br /><blockquote><br />"While not judged on the basis of doctrinal content as texts are, the music of hymnody and psalmody must be judged on the basis of musical merit (melody, harmony, rhythm, form) on aesthetic grounds, and on its capacity to match and deliver the meaning of the texts it accompanies. The legacy of long-lasting hymn and psalm tunes is another link to our living spiritual history. This music part of our collective Christian repertory, irrespective of one's familiarity with them or regard for them. There is no need to reinvent such enduring mediums of our song. To do so is to diminish their strength. <span style="font-style: italic;">New tunes should be written, but excellent tunes of previous eras do not require the musical clothing of postmodernity. </span>Each age makes its contribution to the ongoins, growing hymns repertoire, as it rightly and necessarily should. Style and sound may change somewhat, but solidity, quality, beauty, and universality are among the characteristics of any substantial music that will endure. These characteristics transcend time and speak authentically to any age." (<span style="font-size:85%;">Emphasis mine)</span><br /></blockquote><br />Particularly interesting to me is the statement that "Excellent tunes of previous eras do not require the musical clothing of postmodernity", an idea that has been thrown off by many if not most modern Christian song-writers. The group <a href="http://www.igracemusic.com/">Indelible Grace</a> comes to mind. By clothing old, well-known hymns in new tunes that are more accessible to post-modernized college students, these well-meaning musicians take the opposite approach to what Paul Jones is suggesting. Although I am not staunchly opposed to all writing of new tunes to old verses (many excellent old verses need equally excellent tunes), I believe there is a problem in our thinking when our focus is to make timeless praise to God more accessible to our "fish-that-don't-know-we're-wet" post-modernized sensibilities instead of striving to condition our minds to be able to understand and appreciate the music of our spiritual forefathers, then carry that forward with new life into the future.<br /><br />We sell ourselves short if we are willing to settle for the musical sensibilities post-modernism has to offer when we write new tunes or texts of praise to our Lord. As Jones points out, we are also selling ourselves short when we are content to rest on the foundation of the music that has been written hundreds of years before us instead of embracing our responsibility of "singing a new song" in this generation, continuing to lay down solid bricks on the solid foundation we've been blessed with.Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-38152829551063693152009-05-06T10:15:00.000-07:002009-05-07T10:22:35.326-07:00Upcoming Dickson string quartet concertOur friends the <a href="http://www.thedicksonfive.com/index2.php?v=v1">Dickson String Quartet</a>, who played for our wedding, will be performing a concert in Portland on May 20th at 7PM. The Dicksons are top-notch musicians and are a joy to listen to. Although I am not sure what the repertoire for the evening is, I know it will be excellent. They will be joined by some members of the Oregon Symphony. See the rest of the details by clicking on the poster below.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/SgHHKg7J4MI/AAAAAAAADiY/B6wuVffOWR0/s1600-h/Dickson+5+poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/SgHHKg7J4MI/AAAAAAAADiY/B6wuVffOWR0/s320/Dickson+5+poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332762417234043074" border="0" /></a><br />UPDATE: The repertoire for the evening will be the Mendelssohn Quartets Op. 13 and 80, the Dvorak Quintet Op. 97, and the Mendelssohn Octet Op. 20. Exciting!Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-70911199066184536592009-05-02T06:36:00.000-07:002009-05-02T06:52:37.552-07:00Flook<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/SfxQCSbyMdI/AAAAAAAADhk/zIlwg8qXuw0/s1600-h/brick-1-310d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/SfxQCSbyMdI/AAAAAAAADhk/zIlwg8qXuw0/s320/brick-1-310d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331224059138159058" border="0" /></a><br />I apologize for the absence of new posts lately. Over the next few days, I'm going to post some new music recommendations, starting with a new discovery of mine, a group called <a href="http://www.flook.co.uk/band.html">Flook</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flook.co.uk/band.html">Flook </a>is an Irish/folk group from England made up of four musicians: Sarah Allen (flutes), Brian Finnegan (whistles, flutes), Ed Boyd (guitars, bouzouki), and John Joe Kelly (bodhran, mandolin). They play instrumental tunes in the general Irish-Celtic-Folk-Traditional vein, one of my favorite styles. However, they put a spin on the music I haven't yet been able to define but really makes it something special. Check out the audio samples at the links below and you will be hooked. There are some <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&amp;search_query=flook&amp;aq=f">great live Flook videos</a> over at YouTube as well.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Haven/dp/B000QQPO86/ref=dm_ap_alb2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1241271167&amp;sr=8-3"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Flook: Haven</span></a><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/SfxOdpIZoFI/AAAAAAAADhM/k8utr5XaFCU/s1600-h/61sZmYTCrjL._SL500_AA280_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 280px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/SfxOdpIZoFI/AAAAAAAADhM/k8utr5XaFCU/s320/61sZmYTCrjL._SL500_AA280_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331222330064085074" border="0" /></a>(Even if you are not "into" traditional acoustic Irish music, I guarantee your toes will be tapping to this album! "Haven" is available on CD and digital download from Amazon.com and iTunes.)<br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008V5TW/ref=dm_dp_cdp?ie=UTF8&amp;s=music&amp;qid=1241271574&amp;sr=1-1"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008V5TW/ref=dm_dp_cdp?ie=UTF8&amp;s=music&amp;qid=1241271574&amp;sr=1-1"><span style="font-size:180%;">Flook: Rubai</span></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/SfxOq-RF5cI/AAAAAAAADhU/qcuvu4tdw9U/s1600-h/514PlJBiHHL._SL500_AA280_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 280px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/SfxOq-RF5cI/AAAAAAAADhU/qcuvu4tdw9U/s320/514PlJBiHHL._SL500_AA280_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331222559075984834" border="0" /></a>("Rubai" is available on CD and digital download, from iTunes but not Amazon.com.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flatfish/dp/B000S5ARPA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;s=dmusic&amp;qid=1241271873&amp;sr=8-3"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Flook: Flatfish</span></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/SfxOu82lOII/AAAAAAAADhc/kakzEUvvnlk/s1600-h/61CtQJ4jK2L._SS500_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Vn1WN-ZVU7I/SfxOu82lOII/AAAAAAAADhc/kakzEUvvnlk/s320/61CtQJ4jK2L._SS500_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331222627415832706" border="0" /></a><br />("Flatfish" is available in digital download from Amazon.com and iTunes but not on CD currently, unless you happen to find a used copy.)<br /></div>Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-84626382586445106432009-04-21T11:06:00.000-07:002009-04-21T11:07:51.696-07:00Classical Music for NerdsDo you consider yourself to be a nerd? Then you really should be listening to more classical music, at least according to <a href="http://classicalconvert.com/home/7-reasons-nerds-should-listen-to-classical-music/">this article</a> which presents 7 reasons why nerds should listen to classical music.Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-23046424162175695242009-04-17T19:45:00.000-07:002009-04-17T19:53:10.299-07:00Composition: MeditationFor a few years I have been encouraged by family and friends to record a solo guitar CD but have not felt comfortable enough with my repertoire to do more than occasionally play around with low-quality recordings done on my Mac at home. I don't have any firm plans for recording a CD at this point but I am moving in that direction, albeit slowly. Two months ago I wrote an original piece for solo acoustic guitar titled "Meditation". This evening I decided to give another shot at getting a decent recording of something out of my guitar with the sparse equipment I have. When my plans to record my guitar through my amplifier's line-out plugged into the Mac's line-in were thwarted by my amplifier picking up some radio signal from who knows where, I resorted to simply amplifying the guitar and recording through the Mac's internal microphone.<br /><br />Yes, I am aware of how low-tech that is...<br /><br />The following "video" is my first take, edited to clean up the audio a bit and add a mix of chorus/echo/reverb to improve the sound of the low-quality recording. I prefer the piece without the effects but the raw unedited track needed some help due to the quality of the recording, or lack thereof. For those interested, the tuning I used is DADGAD which accounts for the unique sound compared to standard guitar tuning. You may want to try listening with headphones because if your computer's internal speakers are like mine you'll have a hard time picking up the bass. Let me know what you think!<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwpUfIskM89fa9ZWbZlHmGrwfkrRO3LoN5IpGJ43h6tec-g09Ta9z2s_vd-BsXG7mrrApuc9BzJxvc' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' />Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-59503531108735059892009-04-17T11:45:00.002-07:002009-04-17T13:12:03.193-07:00Researching Psalter EditionsOne of the great practices of the Reformed tradition that has fallen by the wayside in many denominations, especially in the last century, is the practice of singing the 150 Psalms in corporate and family/private worship. If Psalms are sung at all, it is usually a selected few that can be found in popular hymnals such as the Trinity Hymnal.<br /><br />Personally, I do not find Scriptural warrant for rejecting all non-Psalm hymnody. I have great respect for the scripture-based hymnodic tradition that has developed over time since the 16th century. (This is another discussion for another day.) Yet I will readily agree with anyone that the Psalms should be our key resource for all types of worship. They should be prayed, sung, and meditated upon in our worship and throughout the day. Over the past few weeks I have been researching different editions of the Psalter that are currently in-print and I thought I'd share some of my findings as a resource for those who may be interested in the same.<br /><br />By far the most popular Psalter on the market is <a href="http://www.crownandcovenant.com/Psalms_for_Singing_p/cm100.htm">"The Book of Psalms for Singing"</a>, published by Crown and Covenant Publications, a branch of the <a href="http://reformedpresbyterian.org/">RPCNA </a>denomination. From the C&amp;C website, this Psalter is described as "the most popular English psalter because of its comprehensiveness and singability. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Book of Psalms for Singing</span> has been used for more than 30 years.<br />Many psalm passages are set to multiple arrangements. Setting include many familiar hymn tunes, traditional tunes, some original arrangements and a few chants. Translated from the original language into English meter for singing. Over 425 selections include all 150 Psalms in their entirety. Includes 4-part music for each selection."<br /><br />My personal experience with this Psalter has been positive. At <a href="http://solochristo.org/">WPC</a> we use the Trinity Hymnal as our primary source for hymns and Psalms. However, when we use extra-hymnal Psalms they are drawn from "The Book of Psalms for Singing". Many of the Psalms are split into mulitple settings due to their length, and some Psalms in their entirety will have multiple tunes. Many of the tunes. Two congregational and personal favorites are Psalm 119X (the letter after the Psalm designates the progression of settings - like I mentioned most of the longer Psalms are split into different sections and set to different tunes.) and Psalm 148. Most of the tunes are familiar and the language of the verses is in the tradition of the KJV, but is not as archaic as the 1650 Scottish Psalter, for example. The settings for this Psalter are in 4 parts as noted above so it is not particularly suitably for chanting/singing the Psalms in unison.<br /><br />Thus ends my current real experience with Psalters. Everything that follows is a result of my research and I haven't had the opportunity to get my hands on any of these other editions yet.<br /><br />A text-only version of the Book of Psalms for Singing is also available, known as the <a href="http://www.crownandcovenant.com/Trinity_Psalter_Words_Only_p/cm125.htm">"Trinity Psalter"</a>. What good is a words-only version, you say? I can think of a couple good uses. First, as a workbook for writing new Psalm settings. I have taken my hand to writing new settings for hymns before but I am almost invariably influenced by the existing tune on the page. Having a words-only resource would be helpful. Also, these are much less expensive than the music-and-words versions, so for budget-minded churches and families this could be a good option. A spiral bound <a href="http://www.crownandcovenant.com/Trinity_Psalter_Music_Spiral_p/cm127.htm">music-and-words edition</a> is available for accompanists. Finally, since many if not most Psalms are set in common meter or long meter, any number of tunes can be used to sing one Psalm. A words-only version would allow more flexibility with less confusion for those switching between tunes. However, for part-singing the lack of 4-part notation (or any notation at all for that matter!) could pose significant challenges.<br /><br />Of all Psalter versions, the 1650 Scottish Psalter stands as one of the most significant and enduring despite the 17th-century language and often-stiff versification. There are a number of editions in-print such as the <span class="productnamecolorLARGE colors_productname"><a href="http://www.crownandcovenant.com/Scottish_Psalmody_p/cm141.htm">1650 Scottish Metrical Version</a> from Crown and Covenant, and<a href="http://www.fpcr.org/catalog/catalog-online.htm"> The Comprehensive Psalter</a> from FPCR. The Comprehensive Psalter is significantly more affordable and appears to be a sturdy volume. A words-only version of the 1650 Psalter is also available from C&amp;C as <a href="http://www.crownandcovenant.com/The_Psalms_of_David_in_Metre_p/cm140.htm">The Psalms of David in Metre. </a><br /><br />The Reformed Church of Ireland uses <a href="http://www.crownandcovenant.com/The_Psalms_for_Singing_21st_p/cm155.htm">The Psalms for Singing: A 21st Century Edition</a>. Unfortunately there are not many details available on the web about this version that I have been able to find. I would guess that the verses are directly based on the 1650 edition but with updated grammar and language.<br /><br />The prominent Roman Catholic Psalm translation is called the <a href="http://www.grailsociety.org.uk/publications/publications_psalms.html">Grail Psalms</a>. This is simply a different translation from the Hebrew that is used primarily by the Roman Catholic Church. <a href="http://www.grailsociety.org.uk/publications/psalms_soul.html">Here is an example of a Grail Psalm, Psalm 23.</a> Unfortunately some of the versions are "Inclusive Language" (i.e. gender neutral where gender is specifically indicated in the original language). I need to do some more research before coming to any firm conclusions about the value of the following Psalters but they do look interesting if only for getting a full picture of how the Psalms are and have been sung throughout church history.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mundelein-Psalter-Douglas-Martis/dp/1595250190/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&amp;coliid=IBO0W82XMUKVL&amp;colid=4V76PQYD3TX7">The Mundelein Psalter</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Abbey-Psalter-Psalms-Trappist-Genesee/dp/0809103168">The Abbey Psalter</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Psalms-New-Translation-Singing-Version/dp/0809116693/ref=pd_sim_b_1">Psalms: A New Translation, Singing Version</a> (A non-inclusive-language Grail Psalter designed for chanting the Psalms)<br /><br />The above "Grail" Psalters are designed to assist in praying/singing/chanting the Psalms on a daily schedule (kind of like a daily Scripture reading plan, except musical and restricted to the Psalms) - a Jewish practice carried on by the early church and a central part of Roman Catholic tradition that was abandoned by the Reformers. Rightly or wrongly, I have no opinion at this time.<br /><br />If you're looking for a Psalter, hopefully this will point you to some good options. Like I mentioned earlier, the only Psalter I can currently recommend is Crown and Covenant's original Book of Psalms for Singing. I do, however, plan to obtain at least a few of these other Psalters at some point and intend to post on their quality after I've had a chance to review them. If any of my readers have had experience with any of these or other Psalters, feel free to share your thoughts!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." (Psalm 100, ESV)</span><br /></span>Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973266.post-9702944371404817312009-04-15T15:03:00.000-07:002009-04-15T15:05:32.456-07:00Singing and Making Music: Music and the Word of God<blockquote>"Music clothes the Word of God with sound and also reinforces its message with meaning beyond the realm of words. It communicates to our souls as a metaphysical force." (Paul S. Jones, <span style="font-style: italic;">Singing and Making Music</span>)<br /></blockquote>Jonathan Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925893368285891373noreply@blogger.com0